The social consequences of new migrations. The case of environmental migrants

The movement of populations following environmental events is not a new phenomenon but, compared to the past, the altering of ecosystems by man has become greater and faster, with significant direct and indirect effects: “the social consequences of environmental processes is one of the greatest challenges facing the international community in the coming years” (Bogumil, 2012, p.5) above all the management of migratory flows for the North and the mitigation of natural risks for the South (Castles, 2002). The terms used to define anyone who moves due to climatic or environmental changes are numerous and there is still no agreement on a common definition: climate or environmental refugees, eco-immigrants, eco-refugees or, according to studies promoted by the European Union or international organisations, environmentally induced migrations, forced migrations due to environmental causes, climate migrants or environmentally displaced persons1